Parental participation in education

Regarding the editorial "Gambling with Schools," Jan. 16: I agree that helping finance public-school systems with lotteries is wrong. However, I take issue with the suggestion that what is actually needed is our willingness to submit "to taxation as well as participating in the educational process as concerned citizens and parents."

When my son was at a California public school, I made every attempt to "participate," but the doors were constantly slammed by the education bureaucracy.

I agree with the critics cited that the real problem is "a lack of leadership and professionalism in the US education system, rather than a lack of dollars." Diane Mutchler, Manchester, Mo.

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